Colour Design - Developing Narratives Through Visual Research

Abstract

Color designers utilize conceptual narratives to inform the development of color themes that resonate emotionally and perceptually with target users. These narratives are typically generated using visual tools such as mood boards or persona boards to anticipate user preferences and desires. Observations, surveys with CMF (color, material, finish) designers, and analyses of CMF design case studies indicate that the process is predominantly an intuitive one, shaped by the designer’s instinct and experience. This research posits that incorporating visual research as a structured methodology within the CMF design process can introduce rigor, streamline workflow, and enrich the creative depth of conceptual narratives in color design. This paper outlines the refined process and outcomes of systematic experiments conducted as part of CMF design courses at the National Institute of Design, India. The results demonstrate several advantages to the learning process, including ease of adoption, increased confidence amongst novice designers, and enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, the adoption of this refined process contributes to the overall integrity of CMF design outcomes, supporting its broader application in professional CMF design practice.

Presenters

Sudhakar Damodaraswamy
Professor of Practice, School of Design and Innovation, RV University, Karnataka, India

Nijoo Dubey
Senior Faculty, Universal Design, National Institute of Design, India

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Design Education

KEYWORDS

Design Pedagogy, Colour Design Process, Visual Research